Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage can be defined as the systematic and manual manipulation of the body’s soft tissue for therapeutic purposes promoting health and well-being. Massage has evolved from a combination of Eastern and Western traditions. By far the greatest advancement of massage was by a Swedish physiologist named Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), who created a scientific system of massage movements and techniques known as Swedish Massage. It is the manipulation of the soft tissues (skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments) of the body. It is an invigorating and firm massage and has a set routine of techniques that vary from deep pressure to stimulate the body’s systems, to a slower, more superficial movement to assist relaxation. There are four basic movements used in Swedish Massage.

Effleurage: relaxes and stretches the superficial muscles of the body. Petrissage: kneading and squeezing of superficial and deeper muscles and soft tissue. Friction: breaks down adhesions between tissues and relaxes muscle fibres. Tapotement: a variety of percussive strokes to stimulate skin and muscles to increase blood flow.

Swedish massage benefits all the body systems; improves the appearance, tone and texture of skin, improves muscle function, increases the supply of blood and nutrients to tissues, removes waste toxins, eases aches and pains, breaks down lactic acid, removes tension is excellent for relaxation, de-stressing and restoring lost energy levels.
Swedish massage is an excellent treatment for general fatigue/stress in the body, relieving muscle stiffness and tension and mobilising the joints. In particular it is good for treating back pain, sciatica, arthritis, repetitive strain or sports injuries.